Page 39 of Married to the Alien Rogue

“Why does that matter? She’s your fated mate!”

“But I’m not hers.” Pain laced my voice. “She didn’t recognize me.”

“Hyoo-mons don’t do that.” He waved a hand in dismissal. “They don’t have rulaa.”

“Exactly!” I said. “Hyoo-mons aren’t Zaarn. We don’t know how any of this works, not for certain. Just because my kron vibrated for her doesn’t mean someone else’s won’t.”

“But… but…” Tark’s mouth snapped closed.

I humphed and pointed at him. “You know I’m right.”

“No, I don’t! I just can’t prove you’re wrong yet.” He grinned. “But I will!”

The shuttle cleared the tops of the mountains, and the orange sky opened up before us. Tark pulled back on the yoke, steeping our ascent even more. I got one last look out over the sanctuary, where the golden forms of dragons sailed through the air. Frek, it had been amazing to ride one with Zo-Fee! To bask in her joy and the delight of holding her close.

Not to mention what had occurred later in the waterfall.

Yesterday had been the best day of my entire life. I’d hold it in my heart forever.

Pain pinched my chest, even though I tried to fight it off. I knew Zo-Fee would reject me. I just hadn’t expected my foolish actions to drive her away so soon.

Tark was right. I had no one but myself to blame.

I’ve been such a fool.

Once we’d cleared the congested space traffic around Tularia, Tark turned on the autopilot program and stood. “It’s time for lunch!”

My stomach gave an answering growl. After a couple of days on half rations, I was starving. Yet I dreaded facing Zo-Fee.

You are a warrior, not a coward. I dug the knuckles of my balled fists into my thighs in a flash of pain, then surged to my feet. Better to get it over with.

In the main cabin, Tark puttered around the tiny galley area, pulling meat and vegetable rolls from the cooler.

The kreecat hovered by his side, looking up with her best pleading expression.

“You’re going to love it on theDaredevil,” Tark said.

“Daredevil? What’s that?” Zo-Fee didn’t look at me as she released the last of her straps.

I winced, my face scrunching into a scowl. Here was another thing I hadn’t told her.

Tark paused for a moment. Zo-Fee probably didn’t recognize it, but I did. My friend could usually keep up a constant stream of chatter, with barely a pause for breath. Seconds of silence didn’t happen when you talked to Tark unless you’d shocked him. His eyes flicked to me, but his tone remained light as he said, “It’s the ship where we all live.”

“I can’t wait to hear all about it.” She stood. “But first I need the bathroom.”

“It’s here.” Tark took a step to the left and toggled open the bathing room door. The light flashed on inside, showing a tiny space crammed with a sink, toilet, and shower, all in white.

“Thanks.” Zo-Fee disappeared inside.

Tark rounded on me. “You’ve been with her for two days. Did you tell heranything?”

“We spent most of that time on the run, being hunted through the jungle by Tula. Forgive me if I didn’t talk the whole time, because I didn’t want the noise to get us caught!”

“Yeah, yeah. Thank the Goddess you’ve got me, right?” He grinned. “I’ll get Zo-Fee up to speed for you, but you should really try to chime in as much as possible.”

“I will.”

I didn’t.

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